Oakland Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

Not too long ago, the Oakland Raiders lost 11 straight games on the road. However, the Raiders are turning that trend around, winning six of their last 10 road games, going 8-2 against the spread during that span. Oakland hopes to continue its recent good road play when it visits Baltimore to rumble with the Ravens on Sunday afternoon.

Point spread: The Ravens opened as 3.5-point favorites, and the total was 45 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

The Raiders, who haven't posted a winning record in 14 seasons, are off to a 2-1 start following last week's 17-10 victory at Tennessee. Oakland spotted the Titans an early field goal, then scored the next 17 points of the game. The Raiders allowed Tennessee to get within one score in the third quarter and reach the red zone in the final minute, but they kept them out of the end zone and preserved the win.

For the day, the Raiders got outgained the Titans, 393-368, but won the turnover battle, 3-1. So that's two road victories for Oakland already this season, after opening with that thrilling 35-34 win at New Orleans. Also, the Raiders beat the Ravens in Baltimore last year, 37-33.

Why the Ravens can cover the spread

After slumping to a 5-11 record last season, Baltimore is 3-0 this season and coming off a close road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, 19-17. The Ravens grabbed an early 10-0 lead, fell down 17-16 with seven minutes to go but turned a blocked Jacksonville field goal into a 54-yard field goal by Justin Tucker with a minute left and hung on from there.

Baltimore outgained the Jaguars, 283-216, as quarterback Joe Flacco, who at one point completed 21 passes in a row, threw for 214 yards, while the defense held Jacksonville to just 48 yards rushing.

Last year, depleted by injuries, the Ravens lost nine games by one score or less, five by four points or less and three by a field goal or less. This year, with better health, they're winning those close games.

Smart pick

Oakland has been outgained in every game this season, while Baltimore has outgained and outrushed two of three opponents. Also, the Raiders are flying back to the Eastern time zone, where they're just 4-22 over their last 26 incursions, for the second consecutive weekend.

And while Oakland beat the Ravens last year, Baltimore outgained the Raiders that day, and led into the final minute. Oakland owns the edge on offense, but the Ravens own the edge on defense. The smart money here backs Baltimore.

Betting trends

The Raiders are 2-10 SU and 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games against the Ravens.